Look closely at most fine jewellery under $1,000 and you will find one of two finishes: a bright white platinum finish, or a warm gold plating. Both sit over a base of sterling silver. Both can look beautiful for years. But they wear differently, and the right choice depends on how you live in your jewellery.
At Prism & Pearl almost our entire range is platinum-finish sterling silver, with a handful of pieces in 18K gold plating. Here is how the two compare, and why we made that choice.
Quick answer
For jewellery you wear every day, platinum-finish sterling silver is the harder-wearing choice. It stays bright, resists tarnish and suits the icy white sparkle of moissanite. Gold-plated sterling silver gives you warmth and a softer, vintage feel, but the plating will wear faster on pieces that rub, like rings and bracelets.
What is sterling silver?
Sterling silver, stamped S925, is 92.5% pure silver mixed with a small amount of other metal for strength. It is a genuine precious metal, it can be polished and repaired, and when it is nickel free it is gentle on sensitive skin. On its own it can tarnish over time, which is why fine jewellery makers finish it with a protective plating.
Platinum-finish sterling silver
A platinum finish is a fine layer of platinum-group metal bonded over sterling silver. It gives a cool, bright white colour that closely matches solid platinum or white gold.
- Durability: the finish is hard, so it resists scratches and everyday wear well.
- Tarnish: it protects the silver underneath, so pieces stay bright with very little care.
- Look: the white tone makes colourless stones like moissanite look even brighter.
- Best for: tennis bracelets, rings and anything you wear daily.
Gold-plated sterling silver
Gold plating is a layer of real gold, in our case 18K, bonded over sterling silver. It gives the warmth of yellow gold at a fraction of the price of solid gold.
- Durability: gold is softer than a platinum finish, so plating on high-contact pieces can wear over time.
- Tarnish: the silver base is protected while the plating is intact.
- Look: warm and soft, lovely against tanned or olive skin and for layering with other gold pieces.
- Best for: earrings and necklaces, which rub less than rings and bracelets.
At a glance
| Platinum-finish silver | Gold-plated silver | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Bright, cool white | Warm yellow |
| Everyday wear | Excellent | Good, best on earrings and necklaces |
| Tarnish resistance | High | High while the plating is intact |
| Care | Wipe with a soft cloth | Wipe gently, avoid harsh cleaners |
| Pairs best with | Moissanite, white stones | Warm tones, layered gold looks |
What about solid gold and solid platinum?
Solid gold and solid platinum are beautiful, and they cost many times more. A solid platinum tennis bracelet can run well into the thousands before you add a single stone. Our view is simple: put the value into the stone and the craftsmanship, and finish the metal so it lasts. That is why our pieces pair GRA-certified moissanite with a precious sterling silver base.
How to make either finish last
- Put jewellery on after perfume, lotion and sunscreen.
- Take it off for swimming, the gym and cleaning.
- Wipe it with the polishing cloth that comes with every order.
- Store each piece separately in its box or pouch so nothing scratches.
Which should you choose?
If you want one piece you never take off, like a tennis bracelet or a solitaire, choose platinum finish. If you love warm tones and want a pair of statement earrings or a layering necklace, gold plating is a lovely choice. Either way, every moissanite comes with its GRA certificate and every piece is covered by our lifetime warranty.
